Palestine Authorities Call for Greater Enlistment of Population in British Forces

May 5, 1943

JERUSALEM (May. 4)

Declaring that “Palestine has not yet reached its maximum contribution to winning the war,” the civil and military authorities today issued a joint appeal to the men and women of Palestine to enlist in the British armed forces in greater numbers, and announced that a special “recruiting week” will be proclaimed throughout the country in the next few days.

The appeal points out that the population may be under the false impression that voluntary enlistment in Palestine is no longer important since the Allied armies have succeeded in defeating the enemy on the Libyan front. Stating that this is not so it voices the hope that each individual and every organization in Palestine will cooperate in making voluntary enlistment successful during the recruiting week.

“The need for Palestinian men and women in the forces is as great, as urgent as ever,” the communique states. “Palestine’s contribution to the Middle East forces has been considerable. Both the numbers and quality of this contribution are fully recognized, but, nevertheless, a strenuous effort is still needed. It is important that a steady flow of recruits should be maintained in sufficient numbers to meet the call of the hour.”

The appeal further asserts that Palestine will not make its maximum contribution to winning the war until the men and women have full consciousness of their responsibilities. “The opportunity is theirs, the shame of failure shall be theirs, and the share in achievement shall also be theirs,” the communique concludes.